MQTT, OPC UA and the IIoT Archives

Does Maple Systems products support Siemens WinCC or WinCC Unified SCADA platforms?

All of our Windows based IPCs and Touch Panel PCs can run WinCC Runtime Advanced as well as WinCC Unified. Using our IPCs running WinCC, you’ll generally get a higher performance device per dollar with a more ruggedized enclosure with higher screen resolution, more RAM and SSD options, and the ability to run other industrial software on the same machine with more advanced remote access tools.

Can Maple Systems products connect to Ignition SCADA?

You can use our Windows or Linux based IPCs and Touch Panel PCs to run Ignition Edge locally.
You can also use our HMIs to communicate with Ignition via Modbus TCP, OPC UA, and MQTT, which makes a programmers life easier when building distributed edge gateways, dashboards, or data collection nodes within an Ignition-powered architecture.

How to reverse an SQL table using advanced mode?

NOTE: Advanced mode is required to reverse the order on the SQL Table. By default the SQL Query Result Viewer will visualize data in ascending order. To change it to descending order will require enabling…

What is XML?

XML stands for Extensible Markup Language and its a way to store information in a tree structure with tags and elements. XML Data is stored inside tags, and each tag can have attributes or nested tags that contain values.

How to comply with CFR 211 (FDA 21 CFR Part 11) when using a Maple Systems HMI

FDA 21 CFR Part 11, by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US government, definesthe criteria under which electronic records and electronic signatures can be treated withsame degree of validity as paper-based records. Since…

What models support Sparkplug B, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud versions of the MQTT feature?

These options are only available on the cMT and cMTX series products. HMIs do not support these options. It may still be possible to connect to a Sparkplug B / AWS or Azure MQTT broker, but…

Can a cMT SQL Advanced Query command call a SQL Stored Procedure?

There is a touchscreen calibration procedure that you should run when connecting a new touchscreen to the cMT-FHDX. Log on to the cMT-FHDX from your web browser by entering
the IP address of the cMT in the URL field. This will open the WebView window.

How many characters are allowed in an Advanced SQL Query command?

As of EBPro v6.05.02, the SQL query command limit will allow up to 2000 characters.

Interfacing with an SQL database table: the SQL Advanced Query Object vs. Macro

There are no macro instructions that allow a macro to directly interface with table data in a SQL database. The data would need to be copied from the database into local HMI memory before it…

How can I subscribe to topics using Sparkplug B MQTT?

I understand you’re trying to enable bidirectional communication from the Ignition Gateway to your HMI (similar to a “subscribe” function). As you may have seen, Subscribe doesn’t work the same way here with Sparkplug. I’ve…

Can I use a cMT to call a stored procedure in an SQL database?

Yes, create a SQL Query command and insert the SQL syntax. If the SQL syntax is executable in the database management tool (ex. Microsoft SQL Management Studio) then it will work in EBPro. The cMT…

What Maple Systems products support Microsoft® SQL?

Microsoft® SQL Server can be used with our High Performance series to help collect and display data for easier monitoring and analytics. The High Performance series also support a built-in database query viewer which enables…

What is Smart Automation?

A machine, or system, with integrated electronics or computer control that has some level of self-awareness and self-regulation.

Define MQTT Publisher (aka Server or Edge Device)

Any device creating data for transmission to a broker such as sensors, PLCs, and HMIs. A fundamental advantage of MQTT is that data is sent to a central “broker” instead of being directly transmitted to…

How do I activate an OPC-UA license on a cMT model?

To use the OPC UA Server feature is available free on our High Performance cMT series HMIs. you you can purchase a license from Maple Systems for select Headless HMIs. This is a one-time purchase…

Can Maple Systems support SQL Database Integration?

Yes. MySQL and Microsoft® SQL Server are well supported database options that can be used with our Advanced and High Performance HMIs to help collect and display data for easier monitoring and analytics. They also…

What is a Smart Factory?

This is the interconnection of automated systems (operational technology) and information technology. A distributed network of devices generating, transmitting, and consuming data for status, analysis, or statistical purposes.

What is a Push Notification?

A push notification is a message that pops up on a mobile device. App publishers can send them at any time; users don’t have to be in the app or using their devices to receive…

How much is an OPC-UA License?

There is a one-time fee of $300.00 for an OPC-UA license. Select Maple Systems cMT models do not require a separate license, please refer to specific models for more information.

Define Smart Industry

Can I use SparkPlug B with a Maple Systems HMI?

Yes, select models do support the Sparkplug B MQTT payload specification. Sparkplug is a specification for MQTT enabled devices and applications to send and receive messages in a stateful way and is supported by Inductive…

What is an OPC Server?

The OPC server is a software program that converts the hardware communication protocol used by a PLC into the OPC protocol. The OPC UA server grants access to Client devices that wish to connect. The…

Is JSON supported in MQTT / Ignition?

Yes, JSON Advanced setting has been added for MQTT Topic Publisher on cMT Series models. Aside from being compatible with the existing simple JSON format, this function allows users to define JSON format with more…

What is the interconnection between SparkPlug B and MQTT?

Most of our HMIs support the Sparkplug B MQTT payload specification. Sparkplug is a specification for MQTT enabled devices and applications to send and receive messages in a stateful way and is supported by Inductive…

What is OPC UA?

OPC UA (Unified Architecture) is the next generation of OPC, featuring cross-platform interoperability, high security, and proven reliability. Developed by the OPC Foundation, it is a machine to machine communication protocol for the industrial automation…

How do I use JSON with Ignition MQTT Engine?

Tech Note 5119, “Using Ignition MQTT Engine with Maple Systems HMIs” provides set-by-step instructions on how to setup the Ignition MQTT Engine, custom topics, and JSON payloads. The Tech Note assumes that the user already…

Define MQTT Subscriber or Client

The end user of the data. This can range from a high-end ERP management program that tracks information for control and data analytics, to a website that simply displays real-time operational facility data, and anything…

Which Maple Systems products include the OPC UA license? Which Maple Systems products require that I buy a separate OPC UA license?

The OPC UA server feature “license” is included in the cMT Gateways and High-Performance HMIs. It is available as an add-on option for select Headless HMI installations. Advanced HMIs can act as an OPC UA…

How do I set-up MQTT?

Tech Note 5111, “MQTT Set Up,” walks through the steps necessary to configure a Maple Systems HMI as an edge gateway for an MQTT network. There are 4 main tasks that are addressed in the…

What is a MQTT Topic?

A MQTT topic is a text string created by the MQTT network administrator to reference or address data. A topic may include a single data point or multiple related points. These topics are then subscribed…

How does OPC UA work with Maple Systems products?

OPC UA is a communication protocol supported by many SCADA, MES, and ERP software providers. OPC UA uses a Client/Server architecture. This protocol has built-in security with signed and encrypted data transfer using state-of-the-art encryption…

What are the advantages of using JSON in MQTT?

Two major advantages of using JSON Advanced format settings in MQTT: Direct use of object data format. The advanced mode not only supports object format but also supports nested data structure to facilitate direct integration…

What is a MySQL Database?

MySQL is the world’s most popular open source database. With its proven performance, reliability, and ease-of-use, MySQL has become the leading database choice for web-based applications. Additionally, it is an extremely popular choice as embedded…

What are the key features of OPC UA?

OPC UA Features: Cross-Platform: OPC UA uses standard TCP/IP to communicate, enabling OPC UA clients to operate on Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android operating systems. High Security: OPC UA uses certificates to authenticate clients…

What is an MQTT broker?

A fundamental advantage of MQTT is that data is sent to a central “broker” (aka server) instead of being directly transmitted to multiple clients such as remote interfaces or management software. The MQTT broker is…

What is MySQL?

MySQL is a powerful tool that can be used with select HMIs to help collect and display data for easier monitoring and analytics. MySQL is a relational database management system that uses SQL, or Structured…

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these things to connect, collect and exchange data.

What is an Edge Gateway (EG)?

In automation systems a gateway is a protocol translator. In the IIoT, protocol translators are referred to as “Edge Gateways” because they are at the ‘edge’ of the widely distributed network of devices creating and…

What is Microsoft® SQL Database Server?

Microsoft® SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. As a database server, it is a software product with the primary function of storing and retrieving data as requested by other software…

What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)? Or Industrial Internet?

What is JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)?

In computing, JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is an open-standard file format that uses human-readable text to transmit data objects consisting of attribute–value pairs and array data types (or any other serializable value).

What is the difference between MySQL and Microsoft® SQL?

Both MySQL and MS SQL Server are widely used Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). MySQL is an open source, whereas SQL Server is a Microsoft® product. Microsoft® allows enterprises to choose from several editions of…

What is Industry 4.0 in simple terms?

Industry 4.0 represents the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by the integration of cyber-physical systems that enable intelligent, interconnected manufacturing environments capable of autonomous operation and real-time decision-making. This paradigm shift encompasses the convergence of physical…

What is Message Queuing Telemetry Transport ( MQTT)?

MQTT stands for Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. It is an extremely simple and lightweight publish/subscribe messaging protocol, designed for constrained devices and low-bandwidth, high-latency, or unreliable networks. The design principles are to minimize network bandwidth…

FAQ Category: MQTT, OPC UA and the IIoT